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On Immunity: An Inoculation
by Eula Biss
I read this book because I wanted to understand how concerned some parents are about vaccines and the health of their child.
As an upcoming primary teacher this is a phenomenon (though, not a new one) that I will have to deal with every day in my classroom, while still being the best advocate I can be for all the children in my care.
Eula Biss manages, very artfully, to use narratives and anecdotes of her life as a mother to frame this book. What I liked was how well she spoke about being overwhelmed with facts during motherhood. There's no end to the articles, recommendations of others, professional opinions, books, text books and websites that can give any one parent at any one time.
I really, really felt for Biss and I think it's those narratives that make her well-researched, well-thought out and well-argued book so exceptional. She crafts the almost-perfect Western ideal of an argument, a well-balanced, thorough examination of a topic that makes a point without invalidating evidence on the opposite side, no matter how false it may be.
What I liked was how Biss' non-fiction piece managed to validate so many concerns surrounding vaccines and how the way we think about ourselves and our bodies affects how we feel about vaccines. She examines the social history of vaccines and how our perceptions on immunity have changed throughout the centuries.
What I enjoyed most was her discussion on vaccines and privilege and how many sources she references and provides. Biss has footnotes and a selection of articles, texts and academic journal articles she used in the back of the book and while it's not a complete list I feel like I am ever so slightly more empowered to read further into this topic on my own if I want to.
If you have questions about vaccines or if you are feeling unsupported I would strongly urge to check out this book.
On Immunity: An Inoculation feels as comprehensive as it is compassionate.
As an upcoming primary teacher this is a phenomenon (though, not a new one) that I will have to deal with every day in my classroom, while still being the best advocate I can be for all the children in my care.
Eula Biss manages, very artfully, to use narratives and anecdotes of her life as a mother to frame this book. What I liked was how well she spoke about being overwhelmed with facts during motherhood. There's no end to the articles, recommendations of others, professional opinions, books, text books and websites that can give any one parent at any one time.
I really, really felt for Biss and I think it's those narratives that make her well-researched, well-thought out and well-argued book so exceptional. She crafts the almost-perfect Western ideal of an argument, a well-balanced, thorough examination of a topic that makes a point without invalidating evidence on the opposite side, no matter how false it may be.
What I liked was how Biss' non-fiction piece managed to validate so many concerns surrounding vaccines and how the way we think about ourselves and our bodies affects how we feel about vaccines. She examines the social history of vaccines and how our perceptions on immunity have changed throughout the centuries.
What I enjoyed most was her discussion on vaccines and privilege and how many sources she references and provides. Biss has footnotes and a selection of articles, texts and academic journal articles she used in the back of the book and while it's not a complete list I feel like I am ever so slightly more empowered to read further into this topic on my own if I want to.
If you have questions about vaccines or if you are feeling unsupported I would strongly urge to check out this book.
On Immunity: An Inoculation feels as comprehensive as it is compassionate.